US Ambassador Challenges Peace Corps Volunteers

The United States Ambassador accredited to Liberia, Christine Elder has told a new group of Peace Corps Volunteers to see themselves as ambassadors and work whole-heartedly considering the strong bond that exists between the US and Liberia.

“Liberia and the United States share a special bond, and in the counties where you will live, you are ambassadors of our country as I am, and I hope you will remember that every day in the classroom as you help discover and develop the talents of each Liberian you inspire and challenge,” she said with encouragement.

The US Envoy made the disclosure during the swearing-in ceremony of 37 new Peace Corps Volunteers held recently at the Monrovia City Hall; the Volunteers are in the country to teach Math and Sciences and laboratory techniques to both students and teachers.

 Madam Elder lauded President Weah’s desire to make access to quality education a priority in Liberia’s national development plan; emphasizing that evidence has shown that prioritizing quality and access to education is the most sustainable path to lift people out of poverty.

She also extolled Liberia’s cooperation in working with the Peace Corps Program and providing support where necessary, calling it “Our” Peace Corps Program, referring to the US and Liberia alike.

“I said “Our Peace Program” because I have never seen any other country or government embrace and appreciate the role of Peace Corps Volunteers like Liberia. We are grateful for your personal engagement and the support of your ministries with which our program works so closely,” she noted.

The US Embassy boss expressed appreciation in having a central role in supporting government’s effort for quality education by sharing America’s best and brightest minds who will uphold the highest standards of professionalism, excellence, and integrity in their teaching and interactions with Liberians.

Speaking to the Volunteers, she encouraged them to brace themselves up for the real challenge as they take up assignment in the nine counties to teach literacy, math and science, and science laboratories in schools.

“As you live amongst Liberians in their towns and villages, please know that we take great pride in your work, work that will have a positive impact on thousands of Liberians. Meaningful and sustainable change takes generations, and you are contributing to that in a very important way. And I am confident that the experience will be equally transformative for you,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Instruction, Alexander Doupu, who proxied for his boss, D. Ansu Sonii, expressed the Ministry and Liberia’s heartfelt gratitude to the US government and to the volunteers who have left their homes and families to come here to help us.

Doupu said Liberia will forever be grateful to the US for such a partnership that is providing tremendous support to the educational sector that is going through enormous challenges which include poor performance in Mathematics and the sciences for most students especially females and lack of laboratory knowledge.

“Before our students learn, the teachers have to be prepared,” said Minister Doup; adding that supervision and monitoring are core to teachers’ performance and as such MoE needs to step up its supervision and monitoring to improve both teachers and students’ performance.